pVo  62 


y^\  OF  Pfi/^ 


RARE  EO0' 


^yco-c<^c^-9<<) 


ho 


■^ 


^FRIENDLY    COUNSEL       ^ 

TO 

CHRISTIANS, 

Who  desire  to  do  good 


PITTSBU 

PUBLISHED  BY  LUKE  LOOMIS  &  Cc 


EMered  according  to  the  act  of  Congress,  in 
the  year  1833,  by  Luke  Loomis  Sf  Co.,  in  the 
Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  West- 
ern District  of  Pennsylvania. 


Printed  by  Johnston  &  Stockton. 


INTRODUCTION. 


That  it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of  eveiy 
.christian  to  warn  impenitent  sinners  of  their 
danger,  and  persuade  them  to  repent  and 
believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  will  ap- 
pear from  several  considerations: 

1.  JVe  are  required  to  exhibit  in  our  lives  the 
spirit  of  Christ.  "  If  any  man  have  not  the 
spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his."  The 
spirit  of  Christ,  as  it  shines  through  the  great 
work  of  redemption,  resolves  itself  into 
these  two  simple  emotions:  Compassion 
FOR  Sinners,  and  Zeal  for  the  honour 
AND  GLORY  OF  GoD.  "  While  we  were  yet 
sinners,  Christ  died  for  us."  And  while 
tastingthe  agonies  of  that  bitter  cup,  his  pray- 
er was, "  Father,  glorify  thy  name."  It  was, 
that  mercy  might  be  extended  to  the  guilty, 
consistently  with  the  honour  and  glory  of 
God,  that  he  laid  down  his  life.  Behold 
him,  deeply  feeling  the  dishonour  done  to 
God,  by  ungrateful  and  rebellious  men,  con- 
stantly reproving  sin,  weeping  over  the  im- 
penitence and  hardness  of  heart  of  his  coun- 
trymen, and  even  exerting  his  power  to 
drive  out  those  who  were  profaning  the 
temple.     And  He  says,  ''If  any  man  will 


IV  INTRODUCTIO.X. 

come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself  and 
take  up  his  cross,  and  follow  me."  To  fol- 
low Christ  is  to  imitate  his  example.  Hence, 
unless  we  follow  Christ,  in  these  particulars, 
we  have  no  right  to  be  called  after  his  name. 
And,  this  we  must  do,  to  the  exteM  of  our  ahil- 
itif,  and  at  the  expense  of  any  personal  sac- 
rifice, not  excepting,  if  need  be,  even  our 
own  lives.  This  is  the  true  spirit  of  the  gos- 
pel; and  if  it  were  carried  out  in  the  life  of 
every  professor  of  the  religion  of  Jesus,  the 
millennial  glory  would  soon  appear. 

2.  JVe  are  required  to  lore  God  with  all  our 
heart,  soul,  might,  mind,  and  strength.  When 
we  love  a  friend,  we  are  careful  of  his  hon- 
our. If  we  hear  him  defamed,  or  lightly 
spoken  of,  or  see  him  ill-treated,  it  gives  us 
pain.  We  take  part  with  him,  and  vindi- 
cate his  character.  Now,  we  see  God  dis- 
honoured, and  his  goodness  abused,  contin- 
ually. Multitudes  of  impenitent  sinners 
around  us  habitually  cast  off  his  authority, 
and  refuse  to  honour  him,  as  the  moral  gov- 
ernor of  the  universe.  What  can  we  do 
more  for  his  honour  and  glory,  than  by  re- 
claiming these  rebellious  subjects  of  his  gov- 
ernment, and  bringing  them  back  to  loyalty 
and  obedience? 

3-  We  arc  required  to  love  our  neigbour  as 
ourselves.  Now,  we  profess  to  have  seen 
<he  lost  condition  of  dying  sinners.     We 


INTRODUCTION.  V 

think  that  God  has  taken  our  feet  from  the 
'•horrible  pit  and  miry  clay."  We  profess 
to  believe  that  all  who  have  not  embraced 
Christ,  are  every  moment  exposed  to  the 
h  orrors  of  the  second  death.  Can  we  love 
t/iem  OS  ourselves,  and  make  no  ettbrt  to 
open  their  eyes  (o  their  awful  danger,  and 
persuade  them  to  flee  from  it?  Said  a  young 
man,  "  I  do  not  believe  there  is  any  truth  in 
what  they  tell  us  about  eternal  punishment; 
nor  do  I  believe  christians  believe  it  them- 
selves. If  they  did,  they  could  not  manifest  so 
little  concern  about  it." 

4.  The  business  of  reclaiming  a  lost  world, 
is  committed  to  the  church,  in  conjmiction  icith 
the  Holy  Spirt.  It  is  the  business  of  the  church 
to  apply  "the  truth''  to  the  consciences 
of  lost  sinners.  It  is  the  office  of  the  Spirit 
to  make  it  effectual  to  their  salvation. — 
"The  spirit  and  the  bride  [the  church]  say 
come."  And  even  the  hearer  of  the  word  is 
allowed  to  say  "-come."  Rev.  22:  ]7.  The 
scriptures  recognize  the  conversion  of  the 
sinner  as  the  work  of  the  christian.  ^^ He 
which  converteth  a  sinner  from  the  error  of 
his  way,  shall  save  a  soul  from  death,  and 
shall  hide  a  multitude  of  sins."  Jas.  5:  20. 
''Others  save  with  fear;  pulling  them  out  of 
the  fire."  Jude  23.  "Then  will  I  teach 
transgressors  thy  ways,  and  sinners  shall  be 
converted  unto  thee."  Ps.  51:  IS,  13.     It  is 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

true,  we  cannot,  of  our  own  power,  convert 
souls.  But,  if  we  are  faithful  in  the  use  of 
the  means  of  God's  appointment,  he  will 
make  use  of  us  as  instruments  for  accom- 
plishing this  great  w-ork.  Every  one  who 
has  truly  come  to  Christ,  knows  the  way,  and 
can  direct  others  to  him.  And  the  personal 
application  of  the  truth  to  the  conscience  of 
the  sinner,  is  often  as  efficacious  as  when 
spoken  from  the  pulpit. 

Now,  if  this  be  a  plain,  positive  duty,  it 
cannot  be  neglected  with  impunity.  God 
will  not  bless  his  children  while  they  refuse 
to  obey  him.  ''If  I  regard  iniquity  in  my 
heart,  the  Lord  will  not  hear  me."  You 
may  spend  all  your  time  on  your  knees, 
while  living  in  the  neglect  of  a  plain  duty, 
and  get  no  blessing.  \Ve  cannot  expect  to 
enjoy  the  presence  of  God,  while  we  refuse 
to  point  sinners  to  Christ.  The  spiritual 
barrenness  which  reigns  so  extensively  in 
the  church,  may  doubtless  be  attributed 
greatly  to  the  neglect  of  this  duty,  both  on 
the  part  of  pastors  and  people.  If  then 
christians  wish  their  ow^n  hearts  revived, 
they  must  try  to  persuade  others  to  come 
to  Christ.  "  He  that  watereth  shall  be  wa- 
tered also  himself."  Prov.  11:25.  If  we 
wish  to  maintain  constant  communion  with 
God,  we  must  live  in  the  habitual  exercise 
of  the  spirit  of  Christ. 


INTRODUCTION.  Vll 

But,  see  that  you  do  not  mistake  the  spirit 
of  Christ.  Many  christians  content  them- 
selves with  speaking  to  the  impenitent  when- 
ever they  meet  them  under  favourable  cir- 
cumstances, in  the  ordinary  intercourse  of 
life.  This  is  doubtless  a  duty;  but  it  is  not 
the  extent  of  duty.  It  is  only  following 
part  of  the  example  of  Christ,  He  came  "to 
seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost."  "He 
icent  about,  doing  good."  Is  it  not,  then,  the 
obvious  duty  of  every  one  of  his  followers, 
to  seek  opportunities  of  conversing  with  the 
impenitent  upon  the  great  subject  of  their 
souls'  salvation?  The  primitive  christians 
carried  out  this  principle  in  its  fullest  extent. 
In  the  8th  chapter  of  Acts,  we  read  that  the 
church  at  Jerusalem  were  all  scattered  a- 
broad,  except  the  apostles.  "And  they 
that  were  scattered  abroad,  icent  every  where, 
preaching  the  word."  And  afterwards,  in 
the  eleventh  chapter,  19th  verse,  we  hear  of 
them  as  far  as  Phenice  and  Cyprus,  where 
they  had  travelled,  preaching  [in  the  Greek 
talking']  the  word  as  they  went.  It  is  to 
be  particularly  remarked  that  these,  or  at 
least,  most  of  them,  were  the  private  mem- 
bers of  the  church;  for  the  apostles  still  re- 
mained at  Jerusalem.  And  what  was  the 
result  of  these  joint  labours  of  the  whole 
church?  Revivals  of  religion  immediately 
spread  all  over  the  land  of  Judea  and  its  vi- 


Vlll  INTRODUCTION. 

clnity .  And  so  might  we  see  revivals  s])read- 
ing  over  this  land;  and  continuing,  with  in- 
creasing power,  and  multitudes  of  sinners 
converted,  if  the  church,  as  one,  united  in 
Christ,  would  come  up  to  her  duty.  Nor 
would  it  stop  here.  The  lire  thus  kindled 
would  burn  brighter  and  brighter,  and  ex- 
tend, with  increasing  rapidity,  till  it  spread 
over  the  whole  world.  Should  not  all  pri- 
vate christians  tlien,  as  well  as  ministers  of 
the  gospel,  consider  themselves  placed,  to 
some  extent  at  least,  in  the  situation  of 
watchmen  upon  the  w-alls  of  Zion?  If  they 
neglect  to  warn  sinners,  w'ill  they  be  guilt- 
less of  the  blood  of  souls?  How  can  they 
meet  them  at  the  bar  of  God?   Ezek.  33:  1-9. 


FRIENDLY  COUNSEL,  &c. 

As  this  work  is  one  of  great  respon- 
sibility, Christians  should  enter  upon 
it  with  the  solemnities  of  the  judgment 
day  before  them.  To  aid  them  in  pre- 
paration for  so  important  a  duty,  the 
following  hints  are  given: 

1.  Endeavour  to  get  a  deep  and 
moving  sense  of  the  dishonour  and 
contempt  done  unto  God,  by  the  im- 
penitence and  unbelief  of  the  midti- 
tudes  that  surround  you.  They  are 
subjects  of  liis  moral  government,  liv- 
ing at  enmity  with  him,  and  in  open 
rebellion  against  his  authority.  Tin'nk 
how  a  parent  is  dishonoured  by  the  dis- 
obedience of  a  child.  Yet,  earthly 
parents  are  weak  and  sinful  creatures 
like  their  children.  Ho^Y  much  great- 
er the  dishonour  cast  upon  an  infinite- 
ly holy  God,  by  the  disobedience  of 
the  creatures  of  his  power.  Enter  in- 
to the  feelings  of  the  Psalmist,  and  of 


10 

the  weeping  prophet,  who  gave  vent 
to  their  grief  in  such  strains  as  these: 
"  I  beheld  the  transgressors,  and  was 
grieved;  because  they  kept  not  thy 
word.^''  "  Rivers  of  waters  run  down 
mine  eyes,  because  they  keep  not 
thy  laic?^  "  But,  if  ye  will  not  hear, 
my  soul  shall  iceep  in  secret  places/or 
your  pride'''  Psal.  119:136,  158. 
Jer.  13:17.  Remember  also  that  God 
has  "  set  a  marh  upon  those  that  sigh 
and  cry  for  all  the  abominations  that 
are  done  in  the  land ;  and  tliat  they  on- 
ly shall  escape  in  the  day  of  his  wrath  ; 
for  he  will  begin  his  judgments  at  his 
sanctuary.     Ezek.  9 : 4. 

2.  Realize  continually  the  dreadful 
condition  of  the  impenitent,  as  repre- 
sented in  the  scriptures.  See  them,  in 
the  midst  of  the  full  blaze  of  gospel 
light,  blindly  rushing  down  to  eternal 
death.  View  them  as  the  Bible  views 
them,  "condemned  already;'^''  John  3 : 
18;  already 'Host -^"^  and  in  the  most 
imminent  danger,  every  moment,  of 


11 

being  beyond  recovery.  See  them 
wearying  the  patience  and  forbearance 
and  long  suffering  of  God,  by  obstin- 
ately refusing  to  accept  the  salvation 
he  has  provided  at  an  infinite  expense. 
Remember  the  "  hole  of  the  pit  whence 
you  were  digged ;"  and  that,  but  for 
the  free,  rich,  and  sovereign  grace  of 
God,  you  would  now  have  been  in  the 
same  condition ;  and  show  your  grati- 
tude by  "teaching  transgressors" God's 
ways.   Ps.  51:13. 

3.  Enter  into  the  feelings  of  Christ. 
Endeavour  to  know  the  "  fellowship  of 
his  sufferings."  Be  with  him  in  his 
fasting  and  temptation;  his  extreme 
poverty ;  his  exhausting  labours ;  his 
mountain  retreats  for  prayer,  during 
the  season  devoted  by  the  world  to  re- 
pose. Bejiold  him  every  where  meet- 
ing the  opposition,  malice,  and  scorn, 
of  the  very  beings  he  came  t©  save ; 
see  him  weeping  over  their  obstinacy 
and  unbelief  Be  with  him  in  his 
agony  in  the  garden ;   in  the  cruel  la- 


12 


cerations  of  his  body ;  in  his  racking 
pains  upon  the  cross;  but,  above  all, 
in  the  double  anguish  of  his  holy  soul, 
while  enduring  the  hidings  of  his  Fa- 
ther's fdce.  Remember  that  it  was  his 
compassion  for  sinners  which  led  him 
to  suffer  all  this.  He  saw  the  ichole 
of  that  ruin  into  which  they  are  fallen. 
He  knew  the  worth  of  the  soul.  He 
knew  the  unutterable  horrors  of  the 
"  w^orm  that  dieth  not,  and  the  fire  that 
is  not  quenched."  He  requires  you 
to  feel  as  he  felt.  PhiL2:5.  "Let 
the  same  mind  be  in  you  which  was  in 
Christ.'"  "  If  so  be  that  we  suffer  with 
him,  that  we  may  also  be  glorified  to- 
gether." liom.  8:17.  Sympathize 
also  with  the  apostle  Paul,  who  said, 
"  I  have  great  heaviness  and  contin- 
ual sorrow  in  my  heart,"  in  view 
of  the  obstinate  impenitence  and  un- 
belief of  liis  countrymen.  Try  al- 
so to  hnbibe  his  spirit  and  feelings, 
when,  at  Ephesu?,  by  the  space  of 
three  years,  he  ceased  not  to  warn  cvc- 


13 

ry  one,  night  and  day,  with  tears,  both 
publicly  and  from  house  to  house.— 
Acts  20 :  31 ,  20.  Get  your  heart  deep- 
ly imbued  with  such  sentiments  and 
feelings  as  these,  and  instead  of  find- 
ing it  a  difficult  task  to  open  your 
mouth  to  impenitent  sinners,  you  will 
feel,  with  the  prophet,  that  the  word  of 
God  is  in  your  hearts,  like  a  Jire  shut 
up  in  your  bones.     Jer.  20 : 9. 

4,  Think  much  of  the  love  of  God 
towards  perishing  sinners.  Do  not 
tliink  that  He  delights  in  the  punish- 
ment of  the  wicked.  Their  misery  is 
the  necessary  and  unavoidable  conse- 
quence of  sin.  At  an  infinite  expense. 
He  has  provided  a  way  of  deliverance 
from  sin  and  misery.  "  God  so  loved 
the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begot- 
ten Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in 
him  should  not  perish,  but  have  ever- 
lasting hfe."  John  3: 17.  And  t/iis 
wonderful  deliverance  is  freely  offered 
to  ail.  '"  W^hosoever  will,  let  him  take 
the  water  of  life  freely."     '•  Him  that 


14 

Cometh  to  me,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast 
out."  Rev.22:17.  John6:37.  But, 
as  if  this  amazing  display  of  divine 
love  were  not  sufficient  to  convince 
His  rebellious  creatures  that  He  does 
not  dehght  in  their  destruction,  He  has 
declared  with  an  oath,  "  As  I  live,  I 
have  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  tlie 
wicked;  but  tliat  the  wicked  turn  from 
his  way  and  live."  Ezek.  33:11. — 
While  you  fellowship  with  God  in  this 
deep  solicitude  for  the  eternal  welfare 
of  sinners,  tell  them  of  it  as  He  does ; 
expostulate  with  them,  "why  will  ye 
die?"  entreat  them  to  avail  themselves 
of  his  divine  benevolence — "  Let  him 
that  heareth,  say,  Come." 

5.  See  that  you  do  not  indulge  er- 
roneous views  of  the  sovereignty  of 
God.  That  God  is  a  moral  governor, 
and  that  he  controls  all  events  accord- 
ing to  his  own  sovereign  will,  is  a  doc- 
trine evidently  taught  in  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures. But  this  sovereignty  is  exer- 
cised in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  per- 


15 

fectly  consistent  with  the  character  of 
man,  as  a  free  moral  agent.  If  the 
free  agency  of  the  creature  were  taken 
away,  God  would  no  longer  be  a  mo- 
ral governor.  If  sinners  are  lost  it  is 
by  their  own  voluntary  choice.  God 
has  given  them  a  law  which,  if  obeyed, 
would  make  them  perfectly  happy,  as 
the  angels  in  heaven.  They  have  bro- 
ken this  law,  and  exposed  themselves 
to  its  penalty,  which  is  eternal  death. 
But,  the  Lord  Jesus,  in  his  abounding 
and  infinite  love,  has  satisfied  the  de- 
mands of  this  law,  and  opened  a  way  of 
salvation  to  all  who  will  accept  of  it,  as 
a  free  gift  of  God's  grace .  This  salva- 
tion is  freely  offered  to  all.  All  might 
partake  of  it,  "  if  they  would.''''  Matt. 
23:37-  But,  such  is  the  stubborn- 
ness and  pride  of  the  natural  heart, 
that  all  mankind  obstinately  refuse  to 
accept  of  salvation,  on  the  only  terms 
upon  which  God  can  bestow  it,  and 
preserve  the  rectitude  of  his  moral  cha- 
racter.    Would  it  not,  therefore,  be 


16 

doubly  just,  notwithstanding  this  won- 
derful provision  for  their  salvation,  if 
God  should  leave  all  mankind  to  pe- 
rish in  the  ruin  which  they  have  brought 
upon  themselves ;  and  from  whiclU:hey 
refuse  to  accept  deliverance?  But, 
here  is  compassion  like  a  God!  He 
determines  to  make  one  ejGfort  more  to 
save  lost  sinners.  He  sends  his  Holy 
Spirit  to  incline  their  hearts  to  em- 
brace the  salvation  so  freely  provided 
in  the  gospel.  But,  He  operates  upon 
the  heart  of  the  sinner  in  perfect  ac- 
cordance with  the  natural  faculties  of 
the  soul.  He  violates  none  of  the 
laws  of  mind.  And  his  operations  are 
simultaneous  with  the  action  of  the 
sinner.  No  sinner  is  ever  saved  con- 
trary to  his  own  will.  The  renewing 
energy  of  the  Spirit  is  exerted  just  as 
the  healing  power  of  Christ  was  man- 
ifest in  the  case  of  the  man  with  the 
withered  hand.  Christ  commanded 
him  to  stretch  it  out.  He  obeyed,  and 
in  the  act  of  obedience,  new  life  and 


17 

energy  were  imparted  to  the  arm,  which 
was  of  itself  perfectly  prostrate  and 
powerless.  The  sinner  is  commanded 
to  repent  and  believe  in  the  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ.  Repentance  and  faith  are 
the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Yet,  it  is 
manifestly  plain,  that,  while  the  sinner 
remains  inactive,  upon  the  ground  that 
he  can  do  nothing,  this  work  will  ne- 
ver be  wrought  in  his  soul.  It  must 
be  in  the  act  of  obedience.  When 
Christ  commanded  the  man  to  stretch 
forth  his  hand,  if  he  had  replied, "  Lord, 
it  is  withered  and  lifeless,  I  cannot 
stretch  it  out ;"  and  so  refused  to  make 
the  effort,  it  is  perfectly  obvious  that  it 
never  would  have  been  healed.  And 
so,  when  God  commands  the  sinner  to 
repent,  and  believe  in  Christ ;  if  he  says, 
"  I  cannot  repent — ^I  cannot  believe;" 
and  so  refuses  to  make  the  attempt,  he 
can  never  be  saved.  His  will  not  is 
his  cannot.  The  only  answer  we  can 
give  a  sinner,  in  such  a  case,  is,  if  he 
ivill  not  repent  and  believe  in  the  Lord 
1  * 


18 

Je«us  Christ,  he  must  be  lost,  for  not 
obeying  God ! 

Although  the  conversion  of  the  sin- 
ner is  the  sovereign  act  of  God ;  yet 
this  sovereignty  is  not  exerted  arbitra- 
rily or  capriciously.  God  has  appoint- 
ed certain  means  to  accompany  certain 
ends.  He  has  declared  with  an  oath 
that  the  conversion  of  sinners  is  agree- 
able to  his  will.  But  this,  he  lias  ap- 
pointed to  be  accomplished  through 
the  agency  of  his  word  and  spirit.  He 
has  committed  his  word  to  his  people  ; 
and  promised  to  give  his  Holy  Spirit  to 
them  that  ask  it.  Now,  what  have  we 
to  do,  but  to  lay  divine  truth  upon  the 
conscience  of  sinners,  and  ask  God 
for  his  Holy  Spirit  to  make  it  effectual 
to  their  salvation  ?  When  and  after  we 
have  done  these,  then  is  our  time  to  re- 
pose upon  his  sovereignty  in  disposing, 
according  to  his  infinite  w^isdom,  of 
the  means  we  have  used,  and  of  the 
sinner  on  whom  they  have  been  used. 
Our  skirts  are  then  clean  of  his  blood. 


19 

6.  Endeavour  to  get  clear  and  ex-  i 
perimental  views  of  the  nature  of  that  1 
great  moral  change  called  conversion.  j 
On  this  point  much  misapprehension  j 
prevails,  with  the  impenitent;  even 
those  of  them  who  have  been  well  in- 
structed in  the  doctrines  of  Christian- 
ity. And,  it  is  greatly  to  be  feared 
that  the  import  of  the  terms  in  which 
they  are  usually  addressed,  as,  "  come 
to  Christ;"  "Give  your  hearts  to 
Christ ;"  '^  Submit  yourselves  to  God ;" 
"Give  yourselves  away  to  him,"  &c. 
are  not  generally  understood.  It  is  to 
be  feared  also  that  there  is  great  mis- 
apprehension as  to  tlie  manner  of  the 
Spirit's  operations.  Many  sinners  ex- 
pect to  be  acted  upon  by  some  sensi- 
ble miraculous  impulse,  creating  anew 
all  the  faculties  of  the  soul.  But  this 
every  Christian  knows  is  a  vain  expecta- 
tion. This  "  new  birth"  consists  sim- 
ply of  "  Repentance  towards  God,  and 
faith  towards  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
Repentance  is  a  sincere  and  heartfelt 


20 

sorrow  for  sin,  on  account  of  its  odious 
nature,  as  committed  against  a  holy 
God ;  with  a  steadfast  determination  to 
forsake  it.  Faith  is  a  belief  "m^/j  all  the 
hearf  in  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  only  Lord 
and  Saviour;  and  an  acceptance  of  him 
in  these  offices,  with  all  the  heart. — 
Acts  8:37.  Rom  10:10.  These  ex- 
ercises are  accompanied  with  an  en- 
tire renunciation  or  giving^up  of  "^elf," 
and  all  selfish  objects ;  a  givi«^way 
of  ourselves  and  all  we  have  to  God; 
with  a  determination  henceforth  to 
live  for  "  the  Lord,"  and  not  for  our- 
selves. Rom.  14:7.  Tt  is  in  fact  ht- 
erally  forsaking  all  for  Christ.  Not 
a  being  willing  only,  but  an  actual  for- 
saking of  all;  not  considering  our- 
selves or  any  thing  we  have  as  our  own ; 
but  holding  ourselves  in  readiness, 
whenever  the  glory  of  God  requires  it, 
to  give  up  all  we  have,  property,  friends, 
and  even  our  oxm  lives. 

7.  Cherish  a  deep  and  abiding  sense 
of  your  dependence  upon  the  Spirit  of 


21 

Godf  as  the  author  of  a  right  spirit  in 
yourself  and  of  success  with  others. 
Without  his  gracious  influences  upon 
the  hearts  of  sinners,  all  your  efforts  for 
their  salvation  will  be  vain.  If  you  go 
about  the  work  relying  upon  your  own 
strength,  you  will  utterly  fail.  God 
will  not  encourage  a  self-confident,  self- 
seeking  spirit,  in  his  children.  "  /  can 
do  all  things,''''  says  the  apostle  Paul, 
"through  Christ  which  strengtheneth 
me."  A  sense  of  your  dependence, 
will  have  a  tendency  to  keep  you 
humble.  It  will  enable  you  to  see 
your  own  impotence — cause  you  to 
be  importunate  in  prayer,  and  to  give 
all  the  glory  of  your  success  to  God. 
The  labours  of  such  a  spirit  God  will 
bless. 

8.  Be  much  in  prayer.  This  will 
be  the  great  secret  of  your  success. — 
Meditate  much  upon  the  amazing  pro- 
raises  of  God,  in  relation  to  prayer. — 
Exercise  strong  and  unshaken  confi- 
dence in  these  promises.     Try  their  re- 


22 

ality,  by  actually  putting  forth  the  pray- 
er of  faith,  for  the  conversion  of  sinners. 
Spend  much  time  in  prayer.  No  Chris- 
tian ever  became  eminent  in  this  holy 
exercise,  without  visiting  his  closet  fre- 
quently. And,  if  you  feel  the  burden 
of  dying  immortal  souls  pressing  upon 
you,  your  heart  will  continually  rise  up 
to  God  for  the  outpouring  of  his  Spir- 
it on  them.  A  man  of  prayer  carries 
omnipotence  in  his  bosom.  The  Holy 
Ghost  dwells  with  him.  All  obstacles 
melt  away  before  the  spirit  of  prayer. 
There  is,  as  it  were,  a  heavenly  atmos- 
phere about  such  a  person,  which  fills 
even  opposers  with  awe.  Before  you 
go  out  to  converse  with  the  impenitent, 
Jirst  visit  your  closet,  and  obtain  evi- 
dence in  your  own  soul  of  the  presence 
ofGodtogo  withyou.  Much  depends 
upon  this ;  for  if  the  Spirit  of  God  does 
not  go  with  you,  your  labour  will  be 
lost.  However,  do  not  make  your  want 
of  feeling  an  excuse  for  neglecting  the 
duty  your  soul  may  be  blessed  in  the 


23 

very  act  of  discharging  it,  for  the  Lord 
commended  her,  who  did  "what  she 
could." 

Pennit  a  few  suggestions  respecting 
the  MANNER  of  performing  the  duty 
enjoined,  "let  him  that  heareth  say, 
come :" 

1.  Go  out  in  a  spirit  of  simple  and 
humble  dependence  upon  God,  but 
with  the  expectation  of  success.  By  so 
doing,  you  will  greatly  honour  God; 
for  in  no  way  can  he  be  so  highly  hon- 
oured by  his  people,  as  by  a  strong  con- 
fidence in  the  efficacy  of  his  word  and 
spirit,  and  by  an  unwavering  faith  in  his 
grace  and  promises;  nor  can  he  be 
more  dishonoured  than  by  the  unbelief 
of  his  own  children  ?  "Be  strong  in  the 
Lord."  This  will  make  you  as  bold 
as  a  lion.  It  will  inspire  you  with  a 
courage  and  patience  which  no  obsta- 
cles can  daunt,  and  no  opposition  over- 
come. It  will  enable  you  to  say  with 
the  Psalmist,  "The  Lord  of  hosts  is 
with  us ;  the  God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge." 


24 

"The  God  of  Israel  is  the  strength  of 
his  people." 

2.  Improve  the  most  favourable  op- 
portunities for  conversing  with  the  im- 
penitent. "A  word  spoken  in  due  sea- 
son, how  good  is  it!"  Prov.  15:23. 
It  is  generally  advisable  to  visit  them 
at  their  houses,  at  those  hours  when 
they  are  least  encumbered  with  busi- 
ness. When  the  mind  is  burdened  with 
care,  and  the  chilling  influence  of  world- 
ly pursuits  exerts  its  full  power,  it  is 
very  difficult  to  reach  the  conscience. 
Yet,  do  not  carry  this  so  far  as  to  ne- 
glect opportunities  for  doing  good, 
through  an  excessive  fear  of  doing  harm. 

3.  Perform  this  duty  with  a  tender 
melting  spirit.  This  was  the  feeling 
of  the  the  apostle  Paul.  "  I  have  great 
heaviness  and  sorrow  of  heart — for  my 
brethren,  my  kinsmen  according  to  the 
flesh."  Rom.  9 : 2,  3.  "  By  the  space 
of  three  years  I  ceased  not  to  warn  ev- 
ery one  day  and  night,  with  tears?"^ 
Acts  20 :  31 .    "Out  of  much  afiiiction 


25 

and  anguish  of  heart  I  wrote  unto  you 
with  many  tears?''  2  Cor.  2:4.  "  For 
many  walk,  of  whom  I  have  told  you  of- 
ten, and  now  tell  you  even  weeping,  that 
they  are  enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ." 
Phil.  3 :  18.  Such  a  spirit  as  this  might 
melt  a  heart  which  would  be  provoked 
to  opposition  by  a  harsh  imperious 
manner.  Approach  the  impenitent, 
not  in  the  assuming  attitude  of  a  teach- 
er, but  with  the  kind  and  tender  expos- 
tulation of  a  friend  and  brother.  Let 
even  the  tone  of  your  voice  indicate  both 
your  low  estimate  of  yourself,  and  the 
tender  regard  you  feel  for  their  souls. 
Even  the  same  words  which  would  pro- 
voke anger  and  opposition,  when  spo- 
ken in  a  loud  and  bold  strain,  would 
touch  the  heart,  if  advanced  in  a  mod- 
est under  tone.  "A  soft  answer  tum- 
eth  away  wrath."  Prov.  15:1.  "A 
word  fitly  spoken  is  like  apples  of  gold 
in  pictures  of  silver."     Prov.  25 : 1 1. 

4.  First  ascertain,  by  kind  and  fa- 
miliar inquiries,  the  present  spiritual 


26 

condition  of  the  person  with  whom  you 
converse:  his  knowledge  and  admis- 
sions of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of 
Christianity,  and  his  feehngs  and  his  de- 
terminations in  relation  to  the  interests 
of  his  soul.  For  introducing  your  sub- 
ject, no  better  course  can  be  recommen- 
ded than  to  follow  the  example  of  our 
Saviour.  He  improved  every  oppor- 
tunity for  drawing  out  serious  reflec- 
tions from  the  most  common  occurren- 
ces of  life.  By  the  rephes  made  to 
these  reflections,  you  can  form^  some 
estimate  of  the  state  of  feeling.  If  you 
discover  any  appearance  of  tenderness, 
you  may  safely  proceed  with  faithful, 
affectionate,  direct  personal  questions. 
But,  if  great  insensibility  is  manifest 
send  up  your  heart  to  God  for  direction, 
while  you  use  that  "prudence  which  is 
profitable  to  direct."  The  insensibil- 
ity only  shows,  that  there  is  the  greater 
necessity,  that  some  how  or  other,  the 
power  of  the  gospel  should  be  brought 
to  their  hearts.     By  unnecessary  ab- 


27 


ruptness,  in  cases  of  this  kind,  you  may 
defeat  your  object. 

5.  If  the  individual  with  whom  you 
are  conversing  is  ignorant  of  the  great 
fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity, 
endeavour  to  e?:plain  to  him,  in  as  sim- 
ple and  brief  a  manner  as  possible,  those 
great  truths  which  it  is  necessary  for  him 
to  believe,  in  order  to  become  a  chris- 
tian. Acquaint  him  with  his  true  con- 
dition, as  a  lost  and  ruined  sinner,  and 
point  out  the  only  way  of  salvation 
through  Christ.  Try  to  make  him  un- 
derstand the  nature  of  true  conversion. 
Lut,  by  no  means  enter  into  general 
and  irrelevant  discussions;  this  would 
defeat  your  whole  purpose,  by  turning 
off  the  attention  of  the  sinner  from  the 
consideration  of  his  own  personal  state 
before  God.  Endeavour,  in  the  most 
direct  manner  possible,  to  get  at  the 
conscience  of  the  impenitent.  This  is 
generally  a  most  difficult  matter.  You 
will  often  find  every  avenue  of  approach 
most  strictly  guarded,  and  most  cour- 


28 


ageously  defended.  Your  attention 
will  be  diverted  by  speculations  upon 
doctrine ;  by  scattered  conversation  a- 
bout  the  inconsistent  conduct  of  pro- 
fessors; the  externals  of  religion;  or 
something  else  entirely  foreign  to  the 
personal  interests  of  the  individual.— 
But  do  not  suffer  yourself  to  be  dravi^n 
into  an  argument  upon  any  of  these 
matters.  Ply  the  truth  to  his  con- 
science, to  make  him  feel  that  his  con- 
troversy is  with  God.  "For  every 
man  shall  bear  his  own  burden."  Gal. 
6: 15.  "Every  one  shall  give  an  ac- 
count for  himself  unto  God."  Rom. 
14 :  12.  Be  especially  careful  that  you 
do  not  make  yourself  the  offended  par- 
ty, and  treat  him  as  if  he  had  injured 
you.  Convince  him  that  he  himself  h 
a  lost  sinner,  already  sentenced  by  the 
word  of  God,  and  every  moment  expos- 
ed to  the  agonies  of  eternal  death. — 
Show  him  his  absolute  need  of  a  Sa- 
viour. Press  upon  him  the  duty  of  im- 
mediate repentance  and  faith  in  the 


29 

Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  the  danger  and 
guilt  of  every  moment's  delay.  Try  to 
explain  to  him,  by  familiar  illustrations, 
what  is  meant  by  repentance  and  faith 
in  Christ.  Describe  the  feelings  of  the 
true  penitent,  and  give  him,  if  possible, 
an  experimental  view  of  faith.  This 
every  christian  can  do,  who  has  much, 
experience  of  these  emotions  in  his  own 
soul.  Show  him  that  every  moment 
while  he  rejects  the  salvation  offered  in 
the  gospel,  he  is  committing  a  new  act 
of  aggravated  rebellion  against  God. 
Strive  to  bring  him  to  a  solemn  stand; 
and  if  possible  get  him  to  take  soine 
step  which  will  manifest  his  determina- 
tion to  put  off  this  great  work  no  lon- 
ger. This  first  step  may  be  an  atten- 
tion to  some  particular  duty;  such  as 
closet  or  family  prayer,  or  attendance 
upon  a  particular  meeting.  Yet,  tlie 
utmost  caution  should  be  observed, 
that  he  may  not  mistake  this  direction 
for  the  answer  to  the  question,  "  What 
must  I  do  to  be  saved?"    Show  him 


30 


that  he  is  an  enemy  to  God ;  and  that 
he  can  do  notliing  pleasing  in  his  sight, 
till  he  ceases  his  rebellion  and  opposi- 
tion to  his  government,  by  repentance 
and  unconditional  submission.  You 
cannot  too  strenuously  enforce  the  aw- 
ful truth,  that  all  which  an  unconverted 
person  does  is  sin.  Yet,  show  him 
that  he  is  under  the  most  solemn  obli- 
gation, not  only  to  pray,  but  to  perform 
every  christian  duty;  and  that  his  im- 
penitence and  unbelief  do  not,  in  the 
least,  release  him  from  this  obligation. 
Endeavour  to  remove  the  impression 
that  a  long  season  of  distress  must  ne- 
cessarily precede  conversion;  or  that 
the  work  requires  a  series  of  protracted 
efforts.  On  the  day  of  Pentecost  three 
thousand  were  converted  in  a  few  hours ; 
and  the  jailer  believed  and  was  baptized 
rejoicing  with  all  his  house,  the  same 
hour  that  he  was  brought  under  the  in- 
fluence of  the  truth.  Show  him  that 
his  only  hope  is  in  Christ;  and  that  he 
can  do  nothing  to  recommend  himself 


31 


to  the  favour  of  God.  He  must  come 
as  a  sinner;  acknowledge  the  justice 
of  God  in  his  condemnation,  and  cast 
himself  upon  His  mere  grace,  through 
the  atoning  blood  of  Christ.  He 
can  make  himself  no  better.  Staying 
away  from  Christ  to  get  more  con- 
viction or  feeling,  (instead  of  coming 
to  Christ  as  he  commands,)  is  sin,  and 
only  aggravates  his  guilt.  Whatever 
may  be  his  anxiety,  his  prayers,  or  his 
tears,  he  is  continually  irreconciled  to 
God,  so  long  as  he  refuses  to  accept  of 
Christ,  the  only  meritorious  cause  of 
salvation. 

6.  Most  unconverted  persons  have 
so?ne  particular  idol — some  one  object 
upon  which  their  affections  mainly  cen- 
tre. This  above  all  others,  they  are 
unwilling  to  give  up.  If  possible,  as- 
certain what  this  is.  In  some,  it  is  the 
love  of  pleasure ;  in  others,  the  love  of 
wealth;  in  others,  self  conceit,  the  pride 
of  independence,  ambition  of  worldly 
distinction ;  or  some  other  favourite  ob- 


32 

ject  of  carnal  enjoyment.  You  will 
frequently  meet  with  persons  who  have 
such  an  idol,  and  yet  say  they  wish  to 
be  christians ;  that  they  love  Christ  and 
are  willing  to  give  him  their  hearts. — 
With  such,  your  first  object  should  be 
to  convince  them  that  they  are  deceived 
in  supposing  they  wish  to  become  chris- 
tians. Until  this  is  done,  it  is  impos- 
sible to  approach  their  consciences. 
The  most  elifectual  way  to  accomplish 
this,  is  to  explain  to  them  what  is 
meant  by  "forsaking  all"  for  Christ; 
[Luke  xiv.  33.]  and  then  proceed  to 
inquire  whether  they  are  willing  to 
give  up  this  or  that  object,  until  you 
discover  the  darling  idol  of  their 
hearts.  Then  bend  all  your  energies 
to  that  point.  If  you  can  persuade 
them  to  give  up  their  favourite  sin, 
they  will  soon  make  an  entire  surren- 
der of  every  thing  else. 

7.  Keep  a  supply  of  tracts  appro- 
priate  to  the  various  circumstances  of 
impenitent  sinners  j  and  leave  with  the 


S3 

person  with  whom  you  have  been  con- 
versing, one  adapted  to  his  case.—* 
This  is  of  great  importance;  as  tbd 
reading  of  it  will  teiid  to  fix  apori  his 
mind  the  impresKJon  your  conver55a1Joa 
may  have  made,  and  load  hm  to  com* 
pare  it  witJi  the  word  "-^  God,        v 

6-  If clrcn]  '-  "  fO  not/oi'hidil, 
pray  mtk  ta>  .^i^ith  wium 

y7)u  have  hon  :.  •'iv^r.-^ing  before  you 
Isave  b^m.  Nothing  ib  better  calcula-^ 
tf-d  CO  soften  the  heart  of  an  impenitent 
sumer,  than  a  direct  appeal  to  the 
throne  of  grace  in  his  behalf;  and  if 
yoii  '1  >  really  offer  up  the  prayer  of 
fkii ' ,  the  Holy  Spirit  will  descend  upon 
iiim  while  you  are  yet  speaking.  Beat 
him  continually  upon  your  mind,  and 
m^ke  him  a  subject  of  daily  prayer  in 
your  closet.  Agonize  at  the  throne 
of  grace  for  his  soul.  Take  fast  hold 
of  the  promises  made  to  prayer;  and 
let  not  your  faith  and  supplications  fall 
till  you  obtain  the  blessing. 

9.  When  you  have  called  up  thel  at- 
2 


34 


tenti'T).  of  the  sinner  to  a  serious  con- 
cern foi  the  sai,  Jtion  of  his  soul,  he  is 
brought  into  h  ptr'hus  condition. — 
"Under  no- ciicumsta  iv.es  can  the  un- 
converted commit  such  ngo-avated  sin, 
'■-^:  'v^-  -Irebel- 
ho  -    the 

striviu^f'-  -■!  me  liMy  :^pi!i'       i  ncr' 
uation  is  one  of  tne  most  immh 
danger.     Oi.    le  one  haTid.  they  arc- 
posed  to  the  deiusioTis  of  a  fa^a  h 
on  the  other,  they  art  ;    i 
ing  the  Holy  Spirit,  aii 
own  condemnation.     Wn«c  re^ 

you  have  been  the  instrument  mg- 
ing  the  sinner  into  this  perilous  «.  di- 
tion,  you  are  under  the  most  solemn 
obligation  if  he  still  remains  within 
your  reach,  to  follow  up  your  efforts. 
When  you  have  faithfully  performed 
the  duties  already  mentioned,  leave 
him  till  he  has  had  time  for  serious  re- 
flection, and  deliberate  action.  But, 
do  not  leave  him  too  long,  lest  his  im- 
pressions shoa,ild  wear  oiff  for  want  of 


35 


the  continued  application  of  the  truth 
to  his  conscience;  or,  lest  temptations 
should  beset  his  mind,  which  your  kind 
counsel  might  remove.  Repeat  your 
visits  from  time  to  time,  till  you  kiiow 
the  result. 

10.  You  will  find  many  sinners,  un- 
der some  degree  of  serious  impression, 
who  acknowledge  that  they  are  not  '^al- 
together'^'' christians;  and  yet  seem  to 
think  they  are  in  a  fair  way  to  become 
such.  They  are  resting  upon  their 
anxiety;  their  regular  attendance  upon 
the  means  of  grace ;  and  upon  trying, 
as  they  say,  to  do  ''as  well  as  they  can?'' 
They  think  if  they  persevere  in  this 
course  of  seeking,  they  shall  so  £3.1  gain 
the  favour  of  God,  that  he  will  convert 
their  souls.  Show  them  that  God  will 
have  no  neutrals  in  his  kingdom :  that 
every  man  is  either  the  friend  or  the  en- 
emy of  God.  "  He  that  is  not  with  me 
is  against  me."  To  meet  this  self- 
righteous  spirit  show  them  the  holiness 
and  spirituality  of  God's  law;   that  a 


36 

single  transgression  is  an  act  of  rebel- 
lion against  his  government,  and  tJbat, 
while  they  pretend  to  be  doing  as  well 
as  they  caw,  they  are  resisting  the  claims 
of  God.  They  are  trying  to  seek  his 
favour,  while  they  persevere  in  reject- 
ing the  only  offer  of  mercy  which  he  can 
make,  consistently  with  the  holiness 
and  rectitude  of  his  character.  God 
abhors  their  unholy  performances,  while 
their  rebelhous  hearts  refuse  to  surren- 
der, and  accept  of  pardon  and  life  on 
His  own  and  only  terms.  They  must 
see  their  lost,  ruined,  helpless,  and 
hopeless  condition,  before  they  will  cast 
themselves  entirely  upon  Christ. 

1 1 .  Avoid  producing  the  impression 
upon  the  mind  of  the  sinner  that  his 
present  condition  is  his  misfortune, 
rather  than  his  guilt.  This  is  often 
done  by  injudicious  expressions  of  pi- 
ty. While  you  approach  him  with  all 
the  tenderness  of  a  heart  tremblingly  a- 
live  to  his  situation,  yet  maintain  the 
honour  of  God.  The  lost  and  ruined  con- 


37 


dition  of  the  sinner,  is  the  result  of  his 
wilful  and  determined  rebellion  against 
his  Maker.  Show  him  that  God's  jus- 
tice would  shine  with  unclouded  splen- 
dour in  his  eternal  punishment.  He 
has  deliberately  and  wilfully  transgres- 
sed God's  holy  law,  rejected  every  of- 
fer of  mercy,  and  obstinately  resisted 
the  Holy  Ghost.  If  he  goes  down  to 
eternal  death,  it  will  be  of  his  own  free 
will  and  deliberate  choice.  Sinners 
are  disposed  to  throw  the  blame  of 
their  situation  upon  God,  while  he  de- 
clares, with  emphasis,  that  '■Hhey  have 
destroyed  themselves.''''  Be  exceed- 
ingly cautious,  then,  to  use  no  expres- 
sion, either  in  your  conversation  or  your 
prayers,  which  can  be  so  wrested  by 
the  sinner  as  to  give  him  the  least  sha- 
dow of  excuse  for  remaining  in  impen- 
itence. Let  every  thing  be  calculated 
to  justify  God,  and  condemn  the  sin- 
ner— to  show  him  that  God  is  right,  and 
he  is  wrong— ^ox  this  is  ^;he  solemn 
truth,  in  the  case. 


38 

12.  Do  not  think  you  have  accom- 
plished your  object  by  engaging  in  gen- 
eral and  vague  conversation  about  the 
imjportance  of  religion,  S^c.  There 
are  many  things  of  this  nature,  con- 
cerning which  the  sinner  will  agree 
with  you ;  and  you  may  leave  him,  af- 
ter an  hour''s  conversation  of  this  kind, 
with  the  self-complacent  feeling  that 
he  is  about  as  good  a  christian  as  your- 
self. Especially  avoid  any  common- 
place remarks  just  as  you  are  about  to 
leave  him,  after  a  serious  attempt  to 
reach  his  conscience .  Every  such  thing 
tends  to  dissipate  serious  impressions. 
"Then  cometh  the  enemy,  and  catch- 
eth  away  that  which  was  sown." 

13.  Be  very  cautious  in  speaking  to 
others  about  the  conversation  you  have 
had  with  individuals.  Never  do  it  un- 
less some  good  end  can  plainly  be  ac- 
complished by  it.  Seldom  mention  it 
before  unconverted  persons,  or  in  the 
presence  of  professors  of  religion,  who 
manifest  little  interest  in  the  conversion 


39 


of  sinners — "Your  good  will  be  evil 
spoken  of."  Rom.  14:  16.  Do  not 
speak  of  it  for  the  gratification  of  idle 
curiosity,  or  gossiping  egotism,  or  in 
any  irreverent  manner.  And,  if  you 
converse  about  it,  with  your  praying 
brethren,  for  the  purpose  of  mutual  en- 
couragement, and  for  asking  the  aid  of 
their  prayers,  it  is  generally  advisable 
to  conceal  the  name  of  the  individual. 

14.  Be  very  careful  in  your  conver- 
sation with  those  who  'profess  recent- 
ly to  have  experienced  a  change  of 
heart.  "The  heart  is  deceitful,  above 
all  things;''''  and  the  number  of  appar- 
ently dead  professors  in  the  church, 
shows  that  multitudes  may  he  deceiv- 
ed in  relation  to  their  supposed  conver- 
sion. Beware  how  you  rejoice  with 
them,  however  confident  they  may  be, 
or  however  clear  their  views  appear. 
The  seed  sown  upon  stony  ground 
sprung  up  rapidly,  and  appeared  at  first 
even  more  thrifty  than  that  sown  upon 
good  ground.    Do  not  appear  confident 


40 

that  the  work  is  genuine.  "By  Iheir  fruits 
ye  shall  know  them."  Caution  them 
against  the  danger  of  deception.  Tell 
them  that,  if  they  are  really  born  again, 
they  have  but  just  commenced  a  war- 
fare which  will  end  only  with  their  lives. 
Press  upon  them  the  importance  of  self- 
ejiamination ;  and  of  renewing  daily 
the  acts  of  repentance  and  submission 
to  God.  Leave  upon  their  minds  the 
impression,  that  their  subsequent  lives 
only  can  test  the  genuineness  of  their 
conversion.  It  is  only  "  He  that  eti" 
dureth  to  the  end,''^  that  shall  be  saved. 
If  they  have  really  experienced  a  sav- 
ing change,  you  cannot  deprive  tliem 
of  it.  But,  if  you  cherish  in  their  | 
minds  a  delusive  hope,  you  may  con-  f 
tribute  to  the  loss  of  their  souls.  There 
may,  however,  be  some  persons  of  a  , 
gloomy  temperament  not  inclined  to 
self-confidence,  accustomed  to  look  up- 
Qn  the  dark  side  of  every  thing,  who 
r^iquire  a  different  mode  of  treatment. 
Cc«^eLU3ioN. — What  would  be  the 


41 

result,  if  the  Spirit  of  Christ  were  thus 
carried  out  in  the  daily  conduct  of  those 
who  profess  to  be  his  disciples?  If  ev- 
ery one  who  bears  the  christian  name, 
would  seek  daily  opportunities  of  con- 
versing with  impenitent  sinners,  in  the 
spirit  of  prayer  and  humble  depen- 
dence upon  the  Holy  Spirit  and  tender 
concern  for  the  conversion  of  their  fel- 
low men,  a  universal  sensation  would 
pervade  the  land.  The  kingdom  of 
heaven  would  suffer  violence,  and  mul- 
titudes would  press  into  it.  The  flame 
thus  lighted  would  reflect  back  upon 
the  church.  Christians  would  "grow 
in  grace."  Their  graces  would  be 
"shining  brighter  and  brighter  unto  the 
perfect  day." 


APPE]¥I>IX. 


MAXIMS  FOR  CHRISTIANS.      ' 

1.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  christian  to 
be  revived  in  heart,  growing  in  grace, 
and  doing  all  he  or  she  can  to  glorify 
God.  The  obligation  of  this  duty  rests 
upon  the  present  moment.  Rom.  13: 
11;  lThess.5:4— S;Eph.5:14;  Isa. 
60:1;  lJohnl:6;Heb.3:15;  2Cor. 
6:2. 

2.  God  hears  and  answers  the  pray- 
ers of  his  children,  when  they  are  in  the 
way  of  obedience.  1  John  3:22; 
John  15:7. 

3.  When  christians  pray  and  labour 
for  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  that  God 
may  be  glorified,  sinners  will  be  conver- 
ted.    Mai.  3:10. 

4.  It  is  the  sinful  neglect  of  the 
church  that  prevents  her  from  enjoy- 


4.1 


ing  a  perpetual  revival.      Isa.  66:8. 
{Inference  from  the  above.) 

5.  When  no  souls  are  converted  in  a 
congregation,  let  no  follower  of  Christ 
look  round  upon  this  or  that  brother,  or 
sister,  or  any  number  of  them,  who  do 
not  come  up  to  the  work,  and  complain 
that  they  are  standing  in  the  \fJiy  of 
God's  blessing.  Let  him  look  at  home 
and  say  "  Lord  is  it  I  ?"  Mat.  7 : 1—5  ; 
Rom.  2:1;  1  Cor.  4:5. 

6.  If  but  two  members  of  a  church 
get  truly  revived  themselves,  and  agree 
together,  and  offer  up  the  prayer  of  faith 
for  a  revival  of  religion,  they  may  expect 
that  blessing  will  be  granted.  Slat. 
18:19. 

7.  No  church  can  be  without  a  re- 
vival, and  be  guiltless.  Rev.  2:4;  3 : 
15,  16. 

8.  Let  not  God's  praying  people  be 
discouraged  because  their  numbers  are 
few  in"  comparison  with  the  whole 
church.  Judges  7 : 7 ;  1  Sam.  14 : 1-16. 

9.  The  curse  of  the  Lord  rests  upon 


45 

those  members  of  the  church,  who  re- 
fuse to  come  up  to  the  work  of  convert- 
ing souls.  Judges  5:23.  The  prin- 
ciple of  God's  government,  developed 
in  this  passage,  applies  to  the  church 
in  all  ages. 

10.  Let  not  christians  spend  their  time 
and  divert  their  attention,  by  complai;i- 
ing  to  one  another,  of  those  who  stand 
back.  It  is  not  their  business  to  curse 
them ;  Rom.  12 :  14 ;  neither  to  wait  for 
them ;  but  to  goforward,  in  tlie  strength 
of  the  Lord.  There  are  multitudes  in 
the  church,  who  are  "twice  dead,  and 
plucked  up  by  the  roots."  If  you  wait 
for  them,  you  will  never  do  any  thing. 

11.  While  the  world  lies  in  wicked- 
ness, there  is  no  time  for  christians  to 
seek  for  personal  enjoyment.  The  feel- 
ings of  christians,  while  labouring  for 
the  salvation  of  souls,  are  compgired  in 
Scripture  to  the  severest  agonies  and 
most  painful  struggles  to  which  human 
nature  is  subject.  Gal.  4:19.  And 
God  has  pronounced  a  heavy  wo  upon 


46 


"them  that  are  at  ease  in  Zion."  A- 
mos  6:1.  Yet,  although  our  rest  be 
not  on  earth,  if  we  are  found  faithful, 
God  will  give  us,  on  our  way,  joys  which 
no  man  can  take  from  us.  John  16: 
21,  22. 

12.  The  progress  of  a  revival  is  ar- 
rested only  when  God's  people  grieve 
away  his  Holy  Spirit;  therefore  the  ces- 
sation of  a  revival  brings  great  guilt  up- 
on the  church.  2  Chron.  15:2;  1 
Thess.  5: 19;  Eph.  4: 30;  Isa.  63: 10. 


HINDERANCES  TO  REVIVALS. 

] .  Want  of  unity  of  feeling,  and  u- 
nited  effort  among  the  praying  mem- 
bers of  the  church;  and  also  between 
them  and  their  pastor.  A  revived  chris- 
tian may  enjoy  a  state  of  spiritual  feel- 
ing which  the  backslider  in  heart,  who 
has  grown  carnal  and  worldly,  cannot 
understand.     A  very  important  point 


47 

in  social  prayer  is,  that  the  hearts  of 
all  present  be  united  in  their  feelings, 
desires  and  petitions;  for  this  is  the 
condition  of  the  special  promise  which 
authorizes  these  meetings.  Mat.  18: 
19;  Amos  3:3. 

2.  Indolence  and  the  love  of  ease, 
which  cannot  endure  the  painful,  per- 
severing eifort  necessary  to  maintain 
such  a  spirit  of  prayer  as  that  described 
in  Rom.  8:  26;  and  such  a  system  of 
self  denying  activity  as  the  conversion 
of  souls  requires.  Our  rest  is  placed 
in  Heaven,  Ps.  17:15. 

3.  Indulging  in  conversation  about 
the  faults  of  brethren  and  sisters  in 
the  church.  This,  though  a  very  com- 
mon practice,  is  plainly  forbidden  in 
Scripture.  The  effect  of  it  is  to  di- 
minish our  own  brotherly  love  and  es- 
teem for  the  person  whose  character  we 
have  been  discussing;  to  give  employ- 
ment for  tale-bearers;  and  to  stir  up 
hard  feeling  and  strife  in  the  church. — 
This,  besides  bringing  guilt  upon  our 


48 

own  souls,  will  meet  us  in  the  prajdng 
circle,  and  prevent  the  necessary  union 
of  feeling.  Thus,  the  spirit  will  be 
grieved  away;  for  he  cannot  dwell  in  a 
heart  that  is  a  prey  to  jealous  and  bit- 
ter feelings.  Rom.  1 :  29,  30 ;  Ps.  15 : 
3;  Prov.  25:23;  2  Cor.  12:20;  Tit. 
3:2;  Eph.  4:31;  1  Pet.  2:  1. 

4.  Attendance  of  christians  upon  so- 
cial parties  for  mere  worldly  enjoy- 
ment. The  spirit  of  the  world  reigns 
in  these  parties.  The  Spirit  of  God 
must  therefore  be  grieved  away  by  those 
who  frequent  them.    2  Cor.'6 :  14 — 17. 

5.  Light  and  vain,  or  unnecessary 
worldly  conversation,  among  christians, 
grieves  the  spirit.  Mat.  12:36;  Eph. 
5:4. 

6.  Finding  fault  with  preaching.—' 
This  is  especially  injurious  to  children, 
when  it  comes  from  their  parents.  They 
will  naturally  feel  more  confidence  in 
their  parents  than  in  their  minister;  and 
if  they  get  the  impression  that  he  is 
wrong  upon  one  point,  they  will  con- 


49 

elude  he  is  wrong  in  every  thing.  This 
prejudice  existing  in  their  minds,  will 
wholly  destroy  the  effect  of  preaching. 
Again,  when  the  sinner's  conscience  is 
smarting  under  the  truth,  if  members 
of  the  church  represent  in  their  con- 
versation, that  the  preacher  has  been 
too  hasty  or  too  harsh,  they  thereby  ease 
his  conscience,  and  sustain  him  in  his 
rebellion  against  God.  Such  profes- 
sors of  religion  often  act  the  part  of  trai- 
tors in  the  camp  of  the  living  God,  by 
strengthening  the  hands  of  his  enemies 
in  opposing  the  extension  of  his  king- 
dom. 

7.  Sin,  in  a  single  member  of  the 
church,  requiring  discipline,  even 
though  it  be  for  a  time  concealed,  may 
hinder  a  revival.     Josh.  chap.  7. 

8.  Secret  sins,  indulged  in  the  hearts 
of  praying  christians,  such  as  spiritual 
pride,  self-seeking,  self-complacency, 
envy,  &c.,  may  hinder  a  revival.  Ps. 
a6:18;  Prov.28:9. 

9.  Unbelief.     This,  of  all  others,  is 

2* 


the  greatest  hinderance  to  revivals. — 
The  promises  of  God  are  so  abundant, 
and  so  full,  clear,  and  explicit,  that  we 
can  neither  doubt  his  willingness  nor 
his  ability  to  answer  tlio  prayers  of  his 
children ;  and  that  especially  when  they 
pray  for  the  outpouringr  of  his  Holy 
Spirit.  JNlal.  3:10;  Mat.  7 : 7—1 1  ; 
Isa.  55;  Luke  18:1—8;  Ps.  65:2; 
Ps.  102:17;  Luke  11:5—13:  Mat. 
18:19;  Mark  1 1 :  24 ;  John  16 :  23, 24 ; 
lJolm5:14.  15;  Prov.  15:29;  Jer. 
29 :  12,  13 ;  Ps.  145 :  18,  19.  No  sin 
is  more  dishonouring  to  God  than  un- 
belief. It  is  discrediting  the  word  of 
the  Almighty.  We  have  the  most  aw- 
ful warnings  in  his  word  against  indul- 
ging it.  We  read  of  one  place  where 
Jesus  could  not  do  many  mighty  works 
because  of  the  unbelief  of  the  people. 
If  he  could  not  work  miracles  on  ac- 
count of  their  unbelief,  can  he  revive 
his  work  and  convert  souls,  while  his 
people  are  filled  with  unbelief?  Mat. 
13;  58;  Rom.  11:20,21;  Heb.  3:12. 


51 

10.  Resting  too  much  on  appearan* 
ces.  A  revival  is  the  work  of  the  Lord. 
He  is  both  able  and  willing  to  perform 
itj  in  answer  to  the  prayers  of  his  chil^ 
dren.  The  question  then  rests  between 
you  and  God.  If  you  will  put  forth 
the  prayer  of  faith,  accompanied  with 
the  necessary  effort,  all  the  powers  of 
darkne-s  cannot  prevent  you  from  re- 
ceiving the  blessing.  The  word  of 
Omnipotence  is  pledged  for  it.  Keep 
your  eye  steadily  fixed  on  Him,  from 
whom  alone  help  cometh.  Labour  as 
though  the  work  were  entirely  your 
own;  feel  as  if  it  were  God's  work  a- 
lone.  If  you  look  to  appearances, 
when  they  are  favourable  you  will  be 
elated  with  the  idea  that  you  have  ob- 
tained the  blessing,  begin  to  rejoice, 
relax  your  efforts,  and  ere  you  are  a- 
ware,  the  Spirit  will  be  gone  ,•  when  they 
are  unfavourable,  you  will  be  discour- 
aged, give  way  to  unbelief,  and  so 
grieve  the  Spirit.  It  was  looking  at  ap- 
pearances, and  forgetting  the  invisible 


52 

arm  of  Jehovah,  which  led  to  all  the  re- 
bellion of  the  children  of  Israel,  in  the 
wilderness,  which  provoked  God  to 
swear  in  his  wrath  that  they  should  not 
enter  his  rest.  Kx.  5:21,  23;  14:10 
—15;  16:2,3;  17:1—3. 

11.  Trusting  to  ministers  and  the 
special  efforts  of  the  church.  Jer.  17:5, 
7,8:  Ps.84:12;Ps.34:8;  2Cor.l:9; 
Isa. 50:10;  26:1;  Prov.3:5;Ps.  125:1. 

12.  The  impression  that  a  revival 
cannot  long  continue.  This  leads 
christians  to  think,  as  soon  as  they  dis- 
cover any  decline  of  feeling,  that  the 
work  is  over.  So  they  relax  their  ef- 
forts, and  quiet  their  consciences  with 
the  idea  that  it  is  not  the  Lord's  will 
that  it  should  continue.  But  if  they 
would  search  their  own  hearts,  they 
would  find  that  guilt  rests  upon  tlieir 
souls.  They  have  grieved  away  the 
Holy  Spirit.  If,  on  the  first  discoveiy 
of  a  decline  of  feeling,  they  would 
search  out  their  sin,  repent,  humble 
themselves  before  God,  and  beg  the 


53 

return  of  the  Holy  Comforter,  they 
might  ensure  a  continuance  of  his  bles- 
sed presence.  Isa.  59: 1,2  j  Jer.  5: 
25;  3:12. 


HINTS  ON  PRAYER. 

1.  The  object  of  prayer  is  not  to  per- 
suade the  Almighty  to  give  us  what  we 
need,  but  to  bring  our  own  souls  into  an 
attitude  suitable  for  receiving  his  bles- 
sing. Hence,  it  is  a  state  of  feeling 
in  the  soul  expressed  by  corresponding 
words.  This,  however,  is  by  no  means 
inconsistent  Avith  the  exercise  of  deep, 
agonizing,  and  painful  struggles  of 
souL  Mai.  3:6;  Rom.  8:26;  Luke 
22:44;  Gen.  32 :  24— 28. 

2.  Preparation.  If  you  were  going 
before  an  earthly  governor,  to  beg  for 
your  own  life  or  the  life  of  a  friend,  and 
he  were  the  only  person  that  had  pow- 
er to  pardon  the  criminal  condemned 


54 

to  death,  could  you  help  thinking,  with 
intense  anxiety,  about  the  object  of  your 
petition  ?  Would  it  not  be  the  all-absorb- 
ing subject  of  your  thoughts?  Would 
it  not  fill  your  soul  with  a  deep  and 
thrilling  interest?  With  what  consist- 
ency, then,  can  you  come  before  the 
Creator  and  Governor  of  the  Universe, 
to  ask  for  the  life  of  your  immortal  soul, 
or  to  intercede  for  that  of  a  fellow  be- 
ing, guilty  of  high  treason  against  his 
government,  and  justly  condemned  to 
eternal  misery,  without  first  thinking, 
with  deep  and  trembling  anxiety,  about 
the  object  of  your  petition? 

3.  The  social  prayer  meeting  is  no 
place  to  complain  of  coldness.  It  is 
sin  to  go  there  with  a  cold  heart.  The 
revival  must  commence  in  the  closet. 
If  any  one  is  cold,  let  him  humble  himself 
before  God,  and  pray  diiid  fast  if  neces- 
sary, till  his  "heart  burns  within  him." 
Then  let  him  go  to  the  prayer  meeting, 
and  unite  his  Jieart  with  those  \'i\\o  are 
already  revived,  in  pleading  for  the  out- 


55 

pouring  of  God's  Spirit.  When  a 
brother  comes  to  a  prayer  meeting  with 
a  cold  heart,  and  is  called  upon  to  pray, 
he  does  not  lead  the  devotions  of  oth- 
ers. He  has  no  errand  but  his  own,  to 
the  throne  of  grace.  He  does  not  jfeel 
in  unison  with  his  brethren.  He  feels 
intensely  on  no  point.  He  wanders  o 
ver  the  world;  embraces  a  multitude 
of  objects,  entirely  foreign  from  tlie 
particular  one  for  which  special  prayer 
is  to  be  made;  prolongs  the  exercise 
to  a  tedious  length;  introduces  vain 
repetitions  in  reference  to  almost  every 
object  embraced  in  his  petition,  ampli- 
fying upon  every  idea,  expressing  it  in 
several  different  forms  of  speech.  Then, 
perhaps,  he  begins  to  feel  a  little  wann- 
ed, and  returns  and  goes  over  the  same 
ground  a  second  time.  In  this  way,  he 
chills  tlie  feehngs  of  others,  and  diverts 
their  attention  also  from  the  special  ob- 
ject for  which  they  are  assembled.  A 
few  brethren,  who  come  to  prayer  meet- 
ings with  cold  hearts ,  may  thus  become 


56 


chilling  to  others  and  a  great  hinder- 
ance  to  a  revival. 

4.  Regular  attendance  upon  the 
prayer  meeting  is  necessary  to  pro- 
mote unity  of  feeling.  When  a  broth- 
er has  been  several  times  absent  from 
the  praying  circle,  he  will  generally 
have  lost  something  of  his  interest  in 
the  special  object  which  is  presented 
there.  His  feeling  is  not  up  to  the 
standard  which  prevails  in  the  meeting. 
If  he  leads  in  prayer,  he  does  not  lead 
the  feehngs  of  others. 

5.  Most  of  the  prayers  recorded  in 
Scripture  are  for  special  objects. — 
Gen.  24: 12—14;  Ex.  5:22,23;  17: 
4;  32:31,32;  33:13—16;  Num.11: 
11—15;  12:13;  14:13^-19;  16:22; 
Josh.  7:7—9;  2  Kings  19:15—19; 
20:3;  Neh.  1:5— 11;  Dan.9:4— 19; 
Luke  22:42;  Acts  1:24,25;  4:24 
—30. 

6.  In  relation  to  these  prayers,  sev- 
eral things  are  to  be  observed : 

First.  They  generally  contain  btU 


57 

one  object  of  petition.  This  is  reason- 
able ;  for  we  cannot  feel  intensely  in 
relation  to  many  objects  at  the  same 
time.  When  a  child  is  hungry,  it  does 
not  ask  for  a  great  many  things ;  but 
simply  cries  out  for  bread.  ^^Bread, 
bread,''''  is  the  burden  of  its  desire. 

Second.  They  are  short.  This  al- 
so is  reasonable ;  for  when  we  feel  an 
earnest  desire  for  a  particular  object,  it 
takes  but  a  short  time  to  express  it. 

Third.  They  are  simple  and  in  their 
language  pointed.  They  give  an  ex- 
act description  of  the  object  desired, 
which  shows  that  it  was  clearly  and  viv- 
idly impressed  upon  the  mind  of  the 
author.  This  is  reasonable.  The  gen- 
eral fact,  that  misery  and  wretchedness 
prevail  in  the  earth,  produces  little  im- 
pression upon  our  minds;  while  the 
recital  of  the  circumstances  of  a  par- 
ticular case  of  distress  stirs  up  every 
sympathy  of  the  soul.  So  it  is  in  pray- 
er. It  is  particular,  not  general  ob- 
jects, which  fill  the  soul  with  intense 
desire 


7.  It  is  scriptural  for  bretlireii  to  a- 
gree  together  to  prav  for  particular  ob- 
jects.    Mat.  18:19,20. 

8.  When  the  brother  who  is  called 
upon  to  pray,  wanders  from  the  object 
agreed  upon,  he  does  not  lead  the  de- 
votions of  the  whole  assembly. 

9.  There  are  several  reasons  why 
prayers  in  social  meetings,  should  be 
short: 

First.  Long  prayers  are  generally 
pointless  and  dull. 

Second.  They  distract  the  minds  of 
associated  worshippers  with  divers  im- 
pressions, and  prevent  the  concentra- 
tion of  feeling  upon  the  special  object 
agreed  upon. 

Tliird.  It  is  desirable  that  as  many 
as  possible  should  have  an  opportunity 
of  leading  in  the  exercise.  This  pro- 
motes community  of  feeling  and  chris- 
tian fellowship.  Variety  gives  interest 
to  every  thing.  The  expressions  of 
one  or  two  are  not  so  likely  to  be  instru- 
mental in  touching  the  affections  of 


5U 

each  one,  as  when  a  greater  number 
are  engaged.  To  accomplish  this  de- 
sirable result,  prayers  must  be  very 
short.  And,  if  you  will  look  over  the 
special  prayers  recorded  in  Scripture, 
as  mentioned  No.  4,  you  will  be  aston- 
ished to  learn  how  little  time  must  have 
been  consumed  in  their  delivery. 

10.  Long  exhortations  are  entirely 
out  of  place  in  a  prayer  meeting.  The 
object  is  to  'pray,  rather  than  to  learn 
or  taUc.  It  is  very  proper,  however, 
that  a  soul  stirring  appeal  should  be 
given,  and  that  such  truths  as  have  a 
direct  bearing  upon  the  circumstances 
of  those  assembled,  should  be  declared. 
But  this  should  be  done  in  the  briefest 
manner  possible.  An  exhortation,  or 
a  remark,  in  a  prayer  meeting,  should 
be  directly  to  the  point.  And,  when 
an  idea  is  expressed,  it  should  be  left 
without  enlargement.  Let  others  make 
their  own  reflections.  An  exliortation 
should  seldom  exceed  five  minutes; 
that  other  brethren  may  have  an  oppor- 


60 


tunity  of  communicating  the  impres- 
sions which  press  upon  their  minds. — 
Although  all  may  not  wish  to  do  so  at 
every  meeting;  yet,  very  few  can  have 
the  opportunity,  if  the  remarks  of  any 
one  exceed  these  limits. 

Attention  to  these  things  would  give 
life  and  animation  to  meetings  which 
would  otherwise  be  dull  and  spiritless. 
The  person  who  conducts  the  meeting, 
however,  should  so  direct  the  exercises 
that  most  of  the  time  may  be  spent  in 
prayer. 


EXAMINE  YOUR  PRAYERS. 

When  christians  have  been,  for  some 
length  of  time,  praying  for  a  revival, 
without  receiving  the  blessing,  it  is 
time  for  them  to  conclude  they  have 
been  asking  amiss.  If  you  would 
know  the  reason  why  your  prayers  have 
not  been  answered,  examine  them,  with 


^1  I 

reference  to  the  following  particulars: 

1.  You  may  not  have  desired  a  revi- 
val of  religion  that  God  might  he  glori- 
fied; but  that  you  might  be  honoured 
as  the  instrument,  or  gratified  with  the 
comfort  of  his  special  presence ;  or  you 
may  have  desired  it  simply  from  feel- 
ings of  natural  sympathy  for  sinners, 
without  regard  to  the  honour  of  God. 
ICor.  10:31;  Jas.4:3. 

2.  You  may  be  indulging  sin,  or 
neglecting  duty;  in  which  case,  the 
Lord  will  not  answer  your  prayers. — 
Tlie  habitual  indulgence  of  one  sinful 
passion,  or  the  habitual  neglect  of  one 
known  duty,  is  sufficient  to  prevent  you 
from  receiving  the  blessing  of  God.-— 
Ps.  66 :  18 ;  Frov.  28 : 9 ;  Isa.  59 : 1,  2. 

3.  You  may  be  exercising  an  unfor- 
giving temper.  Mark  11 :  25,  26 ;  Mat. 
18:35. 

4.  You  may  not  have  been  sufficient- 
ly humble.  Ps.  138:6;  Isa.  66:2; 
51:15;  1  Pet.  5:6;  Jas.  4:10. 

5.  You  mav  not  have  asked  in  faith. 
Jas.  1:5— 8;"Mark  11:24. 


62 

6.  Your  supplications  may  not  have 
een  sufficiently  earnest.  Luke  22: 
4;  Jas.  5:17j  Acts  12:5. 


PROTRACTED  MEETINGS 

ARE  WARRANTED  BY  SCRIPTURE. 

Chron.  30:  23.  And  the  ichole  assembly 
took  tounsel  to  keep  otiier  seven  days;  arid 
they  kept  other  seven  days  with  gladness. 

AND  EMINENTLY  BLESSED  OF  GOD. 

Chron.  30:26,  27.  So  there  was  great  joy 
in  Jerusalem:  for  since  the  time  of  Solomon 
....there  was  not  the  like  in  Jerusalem,  Sfc. 
See  first  of  Acts,  and  history  of  modern 
revivals. 


HINTS 

3R  CHRISTIANS,  IN  VIEW  OF  SUCH  MEETINGS. 

I.  If  these  meetings  are  not  blessed, 
le  fliirest  opportunities  and  the  most 
romising  means  for  the  conversion  of 
nners  are  lost :  And  the  hearts  of  sin- 


63 


iicrs  are  rendered  inore  callous  to  the 
truth .     Prov.  1 :  23,  33.— Therefore, 

/  am  resolved  before  God  to  avoid 
every  sin  by  which  the  usefulness  of 
these  meetings  may  be  prevented,  and 
perform  cmry  duty  devolving  on  me, 
to  render  them  successful. 

II.  Some  meetings  are  not  blessed, 
for  the  want  of  earnest,  importunate, 
believing  prayer. — Therefore, 

/  am  resolced  to  "pray  without  cea- 
sing," and  to  present  my  prayers  in  hu- 
mility and  feith. 

Ps.  QQ:  18.  If  I  regard  iniquity  in  my  heart, 
tlie  Lord  will  not  hear  me. 

Jas.  4:  3.  Ye  ask  and  receive  not,  because 
ye  ask  amiss. 

Jas.  5: 16.  The  effectual  fervent  prayer  of 
the  righteous  man  availeth  much. 

III.  Some  meetings  are  not  blessed, 
because  men  rely  too  much  upon  an 
arm  of  flesh. — Therefore, 

/  am  resolved  I  will  constantly  cher- 
ish the  conviction  that  without  the  Ho- 
ly Spirit,  no  good  eifects  can  be  ex- 
pected. 


64 


1  Cor.  3: 6.  I  have  planted,  Apollos  wa- 
tered: but  God  gave  the  increase. 

Zee.  4:  6.  Not  by  might,  nor  by  power, 
but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord. 

IV.  These  meetings  are  often  unsuc- 
cessful because  the  people  of  God  make 
such  a  reliance  on  Divine  sovereign- 
ty that  they  neglect  to  pray  or  labour 
with  earnestness  and  fervor :  forgetting 
the  uniform  and  necessary  connexion 
between  the  means  and  the  end.  Josh. 
6:3—6;  2  Kings  5:10,  11,  &c.~ 
Therefore, 

/  am  resolved  faithfully  to  use  those 
means  which  God  has  promised  to 
bless,  viz : — 

1.  Christian  example. 

2.  Direct  personal  conversation. 

3.  Believing  prayer. 

(1.)  Matth.  5: 16.  Let  your  light  so  shine 
before  men,  that  they  may  see  your  good 
works,  and  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in 
heaven.    Ph.  2: 1 5;  Eph.  5;  15;  Jas.  3: 13. 

(2.)  Col.  4: 6.  Let  your  speech  be  always 
with  grace,  seasoned  with  saU,  that  ye  may 
know  how  ye  ought  to  answer  every  man. 
Eph.  4:29. 


65 


(3.)  See  No.  2,  and  Ez.  36:27.  Thus 
saith  the  Lord  God,  I  will  yet  for  this  be 
inquired  of  by  the  house  of  Israel,  to  do  it 
for  them. 

V.  Sometimes  these  meetings  fail  of 
being  useful,  because  the  lay  members 
of  the  church  depend  too  much  upon 
the  ministers — or  upon  each  other. — 
Therefore, 

/  am  resolved  to  cherish  a  sense  of 
my  personal  responsibility ;  and  remem- 
ber that  to  labor  for  the  salvation  of 
souls  is  a  common  christian  duty. 

Jas.  5: 20.  He  which  converteth  the  sinner 
from  the  error  of  his  ways  shall  save  a  soul 
from  death,  and  shall  hide  a  multitude  of 
sins.     Prov.  11:30;  28:23. 

VI.  Sometimes  these  meetings  are 
not  blessed,  because  they  are  not  well 
attended. — Therefore, 

/  am  resolved,  1.  I  will  attend  as 
much  as  practicable  myself. 

Heb.  10:25.  Not  forsaking  the  assem» 
bling  ourselves  together,  as  the  manner  of 
some  is. 

2.  I  will  endeavour  so  to  arrange  my 
domestic  concerns  as  to  permit  my  fam 
ily  to  attend. 

3 


m 

Josh.  24: 15.  As  for  me  and  my  house,  we 
will  serve  the  Lord.     Eph.  6: 4. 

Col.  4: 1 .  Masters,  give  unto  your  servants 
that  which  is  just  and  equal;  knowing  that 
ye  also  have  a  Master  in  heaven. 

3.  I  will  endeavour  to  persuade  my 
friends  and  neighbours  to  attend. 

Luke  14:2].  Go  out  quickly  into  the 
streets  and  lanes  of  the  city,  and  bring  in 
hither  the  poor,  and  the  maimed,  and  the  halt, 
and  the  blind.. ..Go  out  into  the  highways 
and  hedges,  and  compel  them  to  come  in, 
that  my  house  may  be  filled. 

Rev.  22: 17.  The  Bride  (the  church)  says 
come.  Acts  10: 24.  And  Cornelius  waited 
for  them,  and  had  called  together  his  Mnsmen 
and  near  friends. 

VII.  The  cause  of  sinnere'  remai- 
ing  unconverted  is,  that  nothing  is 
said  to  them  but  from  the  pulpit. — 
Therefore, 

/  ivill  emhrace  every  opportunity  to 
converse  with  them  on  the  subject  of 
the  salvation  of  their  souls. 

2  Tim.  4:2.  Preach  the  word;  be  instapt 
ita  season,  out  of  season;  reprove,  rebuke, 
exhort,  with  all  long  suffering  and  doctrine. 
Prbv,  15:23.  A  word  ?poken  in  due  season, 
how  (food  is  iti 


67 


Vin.  Unnecessary  conversation  oa 
topics  seemingly  connected  with  the 
object  of  the  meetings,  often  dissipates 
impressions,  and  prevents  the  blessing. 
— Therefore, 

/  ivill  not  allow  myself  to  be  heard 
iiighly  commending  or  complaining  a- 
bout  the  preaching  or  exhortation,  and 
will  check  all  spirit  of  criticism. 

Prov.  15:4.  A^wholesome  tongue  is  a  tree 
of  life:  but  perverseness  therein  is  a  breach 
of  the  spirit. 

IX.  Conversation  on  subjects  for- 
eign to  the  object  of  the  meeting,  du- 
ring the  interval  of  worship,  often  unfits 
the  mind  to  pray,  and  grieves  the  spir- 
it of  God. — Therefore, 

/  am  resolved  I  will  not  allow  my- 
self unnecessarily  to  converse  on  sub- 
jects of  a  worldly  nature,  and  never  on 
light,  improper  topics,  and  will  dis- 
courage such  conversation  in  others. 

Prov.  15: 2.  The  tongue  of  the  wise  uaeth 
knowledge  aright:  but  the  mouth  of  fooU 
poureth  out  foolishness.  Eph.  5:4.  Nor 
foolish  talking,  nor  jesting,  which  b  not 


convenient,  (proper,)  but  rather  giving  of 
thanks. 

X.  The  good  effects  of  meetings, 
may  be  perverted  by  divisions  in  feel- 
ings and  operations. — Therefore, 

/  will  make  no  complaint  about  the 
measures  or  the  manner  in  which  the 
meeting  is  conducted,  but  in  candor  to 
those  w^io  conduct  them. 

1  Pet,  3:8.  Be  ye  all  of  one  mind;  love 
as  brethren,  be  pitiful,  be  courteous. 

XI.  Prayers  and  exhortations  that 
are  too  long,  or  on  subjects  too  various, 
prevent  the  impression  of  divine  truth,- 
or  tend  to  dissipate  impressions  when 
made. — Therefore, 

I  am  resolved  if  I  am  called  upon  to 
pray  or  speak,  to  have  my  address  or 
prayer  short,  and  bearing  upon  the  ex- 
press object  of  the  meeting. 

Eccles.  5: 2.  Be  not  rash  with  thy  mouth, 
and  let  not  thy  heart  be  hasty  to  utter  any 
thing  before  God:  for  God  is  in  heaven, 
and  thou  upon  earth:  therefore  let  thy  words 
be  few. 

XII.  Sometimes  the  minds  of  sin- 
ners are  prejudiced  and  tlieir  ears  clo- 


69 


sed  against  the  truth,  because  personal 
or  public  addresses  are  made  in  an  im- 
proper spirit.     Therefore, 

It  shall  he  one  object  in  my  secret 
prayers  to  acquire  a  just  estimate  of 
the  value  of  the  soul,  and  a  just  appre- 
hension of  its  danger;  that  I  may  warn 
and  entreat  with  tenderness,  propriety 
and  faitlifulness. 

Acts  20: 31.  I  ceased  not  to  warn  everyone 
night  and  dav  xcith  tears. 

2  Tim.  2: 24, 25.  The  servant  of  the  Lord 
must  not  strive,  but  be  gentle  unto  all  men, 
apt  to  teach,  patient.  In  meakness  instruct- 
ing those  that  oppose  themselves, 

XIII.  The  harbouring  of  unkind 
feelings,  the  want  of  charity  and  for- 
bearance, ill  will,  the  indulgences  of 
former  prejudices,  or  animosities,  may 
prevent  the  blessing. — Therefore, 

/  am  resolved  that  no  such  unholy 
feeling  shall  find  a  place  in  my  bosom 
for  a  moment:  I  will  seek  reconcilia- 
tion where  I  have  given  or  taken  of- 
fence, and  will  endeavour  to  cherish 
toward  all  the  brethren  a  spirit  of  chris 


70 


tiaii  fellovvship  and  kindness,  and  to- 
ward every  enemy,  a  spirit  of  forgive- 
ness and  affection. 

Mat.  5:23.  If  thou  bring  thy  gift  to  the 
altar,  and  there  rememberest  that  thy  broth- 
er hath  aught  against  thee,  leave  there  thy 
gift  before  the  altar,  and  go  thy  way;  first 
be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  come 
and  otFer  thy  gift. 

Jas.  3: 14—16.  1  Pet.  3: 9.  Not  rendering 
evil  for  evil,  or  railing  for  railing,  but  con- 
teariwise  blessing. 

XIV.  Meetings  are  often  unsuccess- 
ful because  christians  rely  too  much 
upon  tliem;  tliey  expect  that  nothing 
can  be  done  at  any  other  time,  and  then, 
when  the  meeting  commences,  they 
are  unprepared  for  its  solemn  duties, 
— Therefore, 

I  am  resolved  to  live  always  in  such 
a  manner,  that  I  may  be  employed  by 
the  Spirit  of  God  in  promoting  his  work. 
The  shortness  of  time,  my  covenant 
vows,  the  Spirit  of  God,  the  bleeding 
cause  of  Christ,  a  coming  judgnient, 
the  realities  of  eternity,  and  the  gloiy 
of  God, — all  admonish  me  to  "present 


71 


my  body  a  living  sacrifice,  holy,  accep- 
table unto  God,  which  is  my  reasona- 
ble service." 

Eccl.  9: 10.  Whatsoever  thy  hand  find- 
eth  to  do,  do  wnth  thy  might:  for  there  is  no 
device,  nor  knowledge,  nor  wisdom  in  the 
grave,  wither  thou  goest. 

XV.  Though  "  hand  join  in  hand," 
the  united  efforts  of  thousands  of  im- 
penitent sinners  cannot  prevent  the 
blessing;  but  one  lukewarm,  sinful 
child  of  God  may  do  it. — Therefore, 

I  will  renew  my  covenant  engage- 
ment, return  to  my  "first  love,"  and 
"come  up"  with  renewed  zeal,  "  to  the 
help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty," 
that  the  blood  of  dying  souls  may  not 
"be  found  in  my  skirts." 

Remember  "Achan  the  trouhler  of 
Israel."     1  Chron.  2:7. 


I 


'H 


^#^ 

M 


laureC 
book  shop 

l!*IH[RIN[ANOKARUOEDECK[| 

33   West    Third   St. 
HAZLETON.  PENNA. 


